On mission in South Africa

SIBASA, South Africa - "I believe that when biblical principles are put into practice then the biblical results can be expected," said Joe Fields, pastor of New Beginnings Church in Lewisville. "We are mandated by Christ to go and make disciples; if we do our part, Christ is faithful to do His part."

In February 2013, Fields and his congregation at New Beginnings Church were blessed to partake in a mission trip to Sibasa, South Africa. During their stay, they were able to evangelize to all walks of society; senior citizens, youth and children encountered the love of Christ and Field's team shared about salvation with all.

"We walked the same roads every day and we made it a point to talk to everyone that we saw and let them hear the word of Christ," said Adrianne Blue, member of New Beginnings Church.

The Lord allowed Fields and his team the true blessing of seeing 6,080 people accept Christ by grace and faith while in South Africa.

"It was an experience that I shall never forget and one that I wish every believer could experience," said Fields. "To be able to see heaven enlarged right before your eyes is an incredible experience."

An ordinary day on the trip consisted of a daily devotional and breakfast, and by 8:00 a.m. they were hitting the road headed from village to village, in schools and markets, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"It was a rewarding experience to have encounters with so many different people not only telling them about Jesus, but also teaching them how to evangelize," said Blue.

They stayed in the field until noon every day, at which time they broke for lunch and prayer, but once the last bite was eaten, the team was back in the field winning more souls for the kingdom. Come evening time, the group would host a worship service where the locals could come and experience how to worship Christ. Charlie Singleton, director of African American Ministries, brought the message during the commissioning services and participated in the sending forth ceremonies each night.

On a number of occasions, the team saw the Bible prove itself over and over when they were able to see entire households give their lives to Christ together.

The group arrived at a home in the village and knocked on the door. The mother answered the door and welcomed them into her home. Once Fields told her that they were there to share the gospel, she immediately began to outwardly display a feeling of great delight and relief.

"It was as if they had been waiting for someone to come and share the gospel with them," said Fields.

The mother asked the group if they would wait while she went to get her husband and daughter so they could hear the good news as well. When she returned, she had her entire family with her and they received the gospel with great joy. After Joe prayed the prayer of salvation, the daughter, who was carrying her infant daughter in her arms, asked if the team would pray for her baby to be healed from sickness, so they did. Later that night at the revival meeting, the family was seen rejoicing after becoming disciples of Christ.

"I will forever be thankful to God for allowing me to personally experience such an awesome event," said Fields.

Since the trip, New Beginnings Church in Lewisville has a new excitement running through its congregation; they are more eager to win their local community with the same biblical methods of sharing the gospel they were able to use abroad.